Clip for switches and similar devices



W. A. BRADEN CLIP FOR SWITCHES AND SIMILAR DEVICES Filed June *7, 1924 Patented Aug. 4, 1925.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM A. BRADEN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

CLIP FOR SWITCHES AND SIMILAR DEVICES.

Application filed June 7, 1924. Serial No. 718,506.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. BRADEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in thecounty of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio. haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Clips for Switches and Similar Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to electrical outlet boxes and is directed more particularly to a clip for leveling a device positioned with in the box so that the same will be in proper relation with respect to the plaster about the box.

Heretofore in installing switches, outlets and similar devices within an outlet box, it has been necessary for the electrician to build the device out to the desired position with respect to the plaster by placing a plurality of washers between the fastening ears on the outlet box and the arms on the switch or other device being installed. It is obvious that this cut and try method consumes considerable time and hence limits the number of devices installed in a day to a relatively small number.

It is the general object of the present in vention to provide a detachable clip which may be easily and quickly applied to the attaching arms of a switch or other device so that when the device is placed within the box, the clips will contact with the plaster about the box and at once position the device in the desired relation with respect to the plaster thereby enabling the electrician to apply the fastening screws at once and then fasten the finish plate thereabout.

Another object is to provide a clip of the aforesaid character which shall be simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and which shall in no way interfere with the fastening of the device within the outlet box or the finish plate thereabout.

lVith these and other objects in View, the invention consists in the various novel features of construction and arrangement or combination, all of which will be fully described hereinafter and pointed out in the ap ended claims.

n the drawing accompanying and forming part of this application, ig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through an outlet box having a switch fastened therein and showing my clips in position; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the assembly shown in Fig. 1 but showing the same with the finish plate removed; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the clips; and Fig. 4 is a similar View of a modified form of clip.

- Describing the various parts by reference characters, 1 denotes an outlet box having the usual arms 2 for fastening the box to suitable wall timbers 3. Promoting from each end of the box is an ear 4 having a threaded aperture therein which is adapted to-receive a fastening screw 5. The screws 5 are inserted throu h suitable apertures 6 formed in arms 7 of the switch 8 or other electrical device which is to be fastened within the box. It is the present practice to build the switch assembly out to the desired relation with respect to the plaster line 9 by placing a number of washers on the fastening screws 5 so that these washers will be interposed between the ears 4 and arms 7 and thereby limit the inward movement of the switch assembly when the screws 5 are tightened.

In applying my invention to a structure of this general character, I provide a clip such as shown in Fig. 3 which is preferably formed from sheet metal and provided with a flattened portion 12 and upwardly and inwardly projecting attaching arms 13. Intermediate the arms 13, the metal is cut away to define an opening 14 for a purpose to be referred to hereinafter.

ln l l have shown a modified form of clip which is similar to that shown in Fig. 3 except that the opening 14* does not extend to the edge of the clip.

In use the electricianslips a clip onto the end of.each switch arm 7, the clip arms 13 engaging about the switch arm as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to retain said clips inposition and the offset 15 in the switch arm limiting the inward movement of the clip. The

switch or other electrical device fitted with the clips is then inserted within the outlet box. The flattened portions 12 of the clips normally extend beyond the edges of the outlet box and hence contact with the finished plastered surface thereby positionin the switch or other device in the desired reation with respect to the surface of the plaster. It is only necessary for the fastening screws 5 to be inserted through the proper holes in arms 7 so that they may be threaded into the ears 4 of the outlet box thereby securely fastening the switch or other device within the box.

This method of installation may be used with either type of clip but is intended primarily for the type shown in Fig. 4E due to the fact that aperture 14 does not extend to the edge of the clip and hence it is necessary to ailix the clips to the switch arm before. threading the screws 5 into the outlet box ears 4.

With the type of clip shown in Fig. 3, the electrician may insert the screws 5 through the switch arms and then thread them into the ears 4: a short distance before attaching the clips to the switch arms. This method of installation is possible due to the fact that aperture 14 in the clip extends to the edge thereof and the clip will straddle the fastening screw 5 when slipped on the end of the switch arm. Ihis permits the electrician to install the device in the outlet box in minimum time as the fastening screws may be easily started and it the outlet box is back of the plaster line too far,'it is a simple matter to slip a clip on each arm 7 before tightening the screws 5. After the screws 5 have been tightened, the finish plate 16 may be applied in the usual manner and the desired fit with respect to the switch or other device will be assured by the clips holding the same in correct relation with respect to the plaster line.

Due to the fact that the clips engage the finished plastered surface, the switch or other device will always be positioned so as to receive the finish plate properly, regardless of the depth of plaster, and hence the necessity ot'building the switch or other device out from the box, by washers or other means is obviated and the installation greatly expedited and simplified.

Having, thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The combination with an outlet box, of an electrical device positioned within said box and having a pair of arms extending therefrom, means for fastening said arms to said box, and separate means detachably connected to said arms and adapted to project beyond the edge of said box, said last mentioned. means being adapted to contact with the plaster about said box thereby to position said device in proper relation with respect to said plaster.

2. The combination with. an outlet box, of an electrical device positioned within said box and having a pair of arms extending therefrom, means for fastening said arms to said box, and a separate clip detachably connected to each of said arms and adapted to project beyond the edges of said box, said clips each having a portion adapted to contact with the plaster about aliases? said box thereby to position said device in proper relation with respect to said plaster. 3. The combination with an outlet box,

of an electrical device positioned within said box and having a pair of arms extending therefrom, means for fastening said arms to said box, and a separate sheet metal clip detachably connected to each of said arms and adapted to project beyond the edges of said box, said clips each having a flattened portion adapted to contact with the plaster about said box thereby to position said device in proper relation with respect to said plaster.

4. T he combination with an outlet box, of an electrical device positioned within said box and having a pair of arms extending therefrom, means for fastening said arms to said box, and a separate sheet metal clip detachably connected toeach arm and adapted to project beyond the edges of such box. said clips each havinga portion adapted to embrace said arms and a flattened portion adapted to contact with the plaster about said box thereby to position said device in proper relation with respect to said plaster.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a clip for leveling electrical devices in outlet boxes flush with the plaster thereabout comprising a flattened portion adapted to con-- tact with the plaster and means extending from said flattened Portion and adapted to embrace the arm of the electrical device to detachably connect said clip to said arm.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a clip for leveling electrical devices in outlet boxes ilush with the plaster thereabout. said clip being formed from sheet metal and comprising a flattened portion adapted to contact with the-plastered surface. and a pair of upwardly and inwardly directed arms connected to said flattened portion, said arms being adapted to embrace the arm of the electrical device thereby to detach ably connect said clip to said device.

7. its a new article of manufacture, a clip for leveling electrical devices in outlet boxes flush with the plaster thereabout, said clip being "formed from sheet metal and comprising a flattened portion adapted to contact with the plastered surface, and a pair of upwardly and inwardly directed arms connected to said flattened portion, said arms being adapted to embrace the arm of the electrical device thereby to detach-ably connect said clip to said device, said flattened portion having a recess therein adapted to align with the fastening means for said electrical device.

In testimony whereof, ll hereunto atfix my signature.

WILLIAM A. BRAlJEN. 

